Antiskid chain device



Nov. 22, 1949 H. SMALL 2,489,110

ANTISKIDfiI-IAIN DEVICE Filed May 21, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MMVW Nov. 22, 1949 H. L. SMALL ANTISKID CHAIN DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 21 1948.

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2151, W ,4 I W Patented Nov. 22, 1949 2,489,110 ANTISKID CHAIN DEVICE Herbert L. Small, Auburn, Maine Application May 21, 1948, Serial No. 28,399

1 This invention relates to anti-skid chain devices and particularly to tire chains of the crownplate type, and aims to provide an improved form of crown plate adapted to reduce wear of the tires and of the chain portions. It also aims to provide an improved association of the crown plate with the chain structure which insures against overturning of the crown plates during driving or stopping actions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof.

With the foregoing objects and advantages in mind the invention comprises the improved cross chain unit of the crown-plate type, the combination of such units in complete tire chains and emergency chain elements, and the improved structural features and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention, 7

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation showing one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-section through Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the crown plate of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the working face of the crown plate;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified embodiment'of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section through Fig. 5; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are plan views from back and front of the crown plate of Figs. 5 and 6.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the improved anti-skid chain comprises conventional side chains A to which are secured the anti-skid units comprising'cross links B and crown plates C.

Each of the cross-link sections B in the preferred form is provided with hook ends of standard or other suitable form adapted to be secured to the links of the side chain A and to the corner bars ID (Figs. 3 and 4) of the crown plate.

The crown plates C, in the forms shown, are preferably of a width transverse of the tire substantially greater than their length peripherally of the tire, and preferably are about equal in width to the width of the tread of the tire D. The back H of each crown plate C is generally concaved; i. e., the plate is outwardly convexed, preferably in both longitudinal and transverse directions, to conform generally to the longitudinal and transverse curvatures of a tire, and the corner bars II] are separated by spacers or 7 Claims. (Cl- 152230) supporting elements l2 which serve the purpose of providing support for the bars Illa and preventillg chafing of the chain-hooks against the tire. The corner, and edges of the back surface H are preferably smoothly rounded as is best shown in Fig. 3.

- lhe anti-skid face of the crown plate, as shown in Fig. 4, is provided with anti-skid calks l3,

herein shown of stud-like form located in the central portion of the plate, and with lateral or apex calks I4 located in alignment with the supporting elements l2 at the apices between the corner bars ll). Adjacent the openings 15 through which the chain-hooks pass, and which also pro vide for dropping out of debris which might otherwise be trapped behind the plates, the preferred form of the invention is provided with diagonally positioned calks l6 preferably of cleat-like form. It will be appreciated that the location of the cleats or lugs l 6, and of the members. M, in juxta position to the openings l5, increases the effective height of these elements and thus provides a maximum traction grip in snow and mud. Also. the diagonal positioning of the elements l6 and the inclination of their end faces I! tends to compact the snow or mud with which these elements and the prongs l3 may be engaged and to- A. Where the chain A is formed of longer linksthese may bridge three links respectively. and the links of adjacent units B, C are preferably engaged in the same side link of chain A so as to s ace the crown plates relatively closely together.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 to 8. the elements A, B', C, D correspond generally to the elements A, B, C, and D of Figs. 14, and the elements Illa, Ha, etc., correspond generally with the elements If), H etc., in Figs. 1-4, except that in this form the studs l3 are replaced by longitudinal lugs l3a and a central transverse lug [3b, which affords a somewhat greater bite with icy surfaces. Furthermore, Fig. 5 shows the adaptation of the invention to the so-called emergency links in which the side members A are constituted by arcuate side plates 20 having rectangular apertures 2| positioned diagonally to receive the end links of the diagonal cross chains 13', and which have straps 22 adapted to pass around the 3 wheel rim 23 and to be secured by suitable belt clamps 24. In the form shown the straps 22 and clamps 24 have lost motion connections to the arcuate side plates 2| which facilitate adjustment in certain cases.

As illustrated in both forms shown, and indicated by the dotted outline 26, Fig. '7, the crown plate of this invention is preferably generally hexagonal in outline and the calks M, Ma are preferably arranged' adjacent. opposed apices thereof with the calks l-3, I3a located centrally of the hexagon relative to these apices, and with the openings l5, 15a intervening between them.

The provision of a common opening fonboththe- 7 corner bars at each apex and the isolation of the corner bars by elements l2, [2m and M, Ma facilitates connection of the chain ends thereto and release of trapped detritus therefrom.

As above mentioned the outward flaring ofthe.

diagonally positioned cleat-like calks l6, I611 greatly improves. the grip of. the device. The spikenli-ke members.- M, Ma; being somewhat ele. vated, are saved from1'weamin the earlier-part of theliiie of. the; crown plate but are fully; available for deep; traction, and come more. and more-into play as the gripping ability of the central calls, elements. is. reducedby wear, thus aiding inmaintaining; the effectiveness or thecrown plate throughoutitsl-ife.

. The. invention is not limited to the: particular. arrangements. described herein-; toexemplify the same, and is: defined in-the appended claims.

lclaim as myinvention:

g L An. anti-skid device of the cross-chain and. crown-plate type in. which-- the crown. plate is convened. to. conform generally to: the curvature off a, the surface, is provided. calksat. its. outer side and. has. a height-.trom its back surface to, the tips: of its .calkssubstantially. greater than the. depth of the closed; end links; at the cross. chains. and inwhich. the crown. plate has con ner barspositioned intermediate its: height be. tween certain of, saidcalks, about which the end of said, cross chainsareclosed: said calks: thus protecting the plate; engaging, portions ofsaidcrosschains 2.. anti-skid device comprisingagenerally. hexa onal crown plate, calks adjacent two. on posed apices of said plate, calks-located in. the central portionof said plate: in. spaced relation to said. opposed. apices, said. calked plate having: openings between said. central portions and. the. portions thereof adjacent said. opposed apices said plate comprising chaineend receiving bars.

edging pprtions of itssides adjacentsaidl p n:- 55: Number i'ngs and; said opposed apiece and. positioned. in termediate the. heightof. the plate inspaced reflation to its tire-contacting surfacesso'that the 4 end-link portions of cross-chains engaged through said openings and closed about said bars are recessed into the back and front portions of said plate.

3. An anti-skid device according to claim 2 in which certain of the calks are located marginally of said openings.

4. An anti-skid device according to claim 3 in which certain of the calks located marginally of openings are: cleat-shaped and diagonally positioned in an outwardly flaring direction.

5. An anti-skid device according to claim 2 in which the calks located adjacent the two opposed apices of the plate are stud-shaped.

6'. An anti-skid device of the side member, cross-chain. and crown-plate type in which the crown plate is convexed to conform generally to thecurvature of a tire surface, has a transverse greater than its length, and is provided with diagonally positioned corner bars about whichttheend links of. thecrosschainsare closed,

imwhicn the cross. chains extend. diagonally in.

leading and lagging directions from said corner bars to. the; cross-chain. supporting side members oi the device, said crown plate having at least. one outwardly extending projection at. the junc ture-oi adjacent corner. barsshielding the closedendlinksof the cross-chains.

7. An anti-skid device. comprising a generally hexagona1 crown plate convexed to. contormgenthrough said openings and closed about said bars spaced relation to its tireecontacting surfaces so.

thatthe endelink portions. of. crosschainsengaged are-recessed.- into the backand front portions of said plate. HERBERT L. SMALL.-

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in. the file of. this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name. Date 1,313,924. Re -we Aug. 12, 1919* 1 626388. Crawford- May 3-, 1927 2380 555; Sterner Apr. 21, 1942' 

